Millions of Americans opposing this will remain
Lexington, Ky.: Dear world, we are sorry. What you are seeing from the United States right now does not represent who we are. It does not reflect the values we hold dear, nor does it define the spirit of our people. The rhetoric, the one-sided decisions, the division — they are not the voice of all of us. In fact, for many of us, they are the opposite of what we believe.
All my life, I have believed that humanity is moving toward a broader, more connected perspective, one in which we recognize that we are not just citizens of individual nations but citizens of Earth. Our challenges — climate change, diminishing natural resources, the health of our air, soil, and water — are not confined by borders. They demand cooperation, compassion and a shared responsibility.
We know that words and actions matter, that leadership should uplift rather than divide, and that the world is watching. Please know that many of us are watching, too. We are standing up, speaking out and working for something better.
He does not speak for us. He does not represent us. And although this moment is painful, it will not define us.
We remain committed to a future where collaboration prevails over isolation, where progress is driven by empathy and reason, and where the bonds between people are stronger than the forces that seek to break them. Tom Wilmes
Damned shame
Brewster, N.Y.: This administration is alienating all of our friends and allies, democracies that shared our values. Meanwhile, President Trump and JD Vance shamelessly sidle up to bloodthirsty butcher Vladimir Putin. I am ashamed of and embarrassed by this administration. Larry Maslak
Insightful
New Rochelle, N.Y.: Re “Trump’s Oval Office tantrum” (editorial, March 1): Thank you, thank you, thank you for this brilliant, intelligent commentary on one of the most graceless and shameful acts of this current president and his administration. Well thought-out, well-written. Keep up the good work. We need you. Joanne Harris
Russian aggression
Davidson, N.C.: Trump invited Zelenskyy only to tell him that the U.S. will no longer support Ukraine. It was obvious that Trump had no compassion for Ukrainians. He thinks meeting with Putin would bring the conflict to a peaceful closure. Apparently, Trump doesn’t remember the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and Russia’s annexing of Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces. The conflict went on as Russia gained more Ukrainian land. In 2017, Putin signed the Minsk Agreement that brought a ceasefire, restoring the border between Ukraine and Russia and confirming Ukraine’s sovereignty. But Russia disregarded that agreement and continued to take over more of Ukraine. When Russia launched its current invasion, Putin declared that the Minsk Agreement “no longer existed” and Ukraine was to blame for its collapse, which allowed Putin to point at Zelenskyy. Mr. President, did you know this, and would it make a difference in your decision to support Putin? Sorrell Chesin
Silver-spoon scoundrels
Stockholm, N.J..: I think the problem isn’t that Zelenskyy doesn’t wear a suit, it’s that the ones barking at him have never worn blue jeans. Nat Saraceni
Fiendish faux pas
Ridgewood, N.J.: The Europeans embracing Zelenskyy have left Trump “Home Alone.” His Oval Office ambush has badly misfired with the American people, who do not like a bully treating a man who is fighting for the survival of his country with disrespect. Ed Houlihan
Break away
Edinburgh, Scotland: The selective catastrophic amnesia needed to suck up to Trump in exchange for trade has to give way to reality, and soon. Even if Keir Starmer hasn’t worked it out, there is no appeasement or debasement low enough to make working with the corrupt U.S. administration worth the while. That was made clear by the shocking scenes in the Oval Office, where the vile Vance and criminal con man Trump disrespected and attempted to bully Europe’s only real hero, Zelenskyy. At the end of the Cold War, Ukraine held — albeit controlled by the USSR — a huge arsenal of nuclear warheads and gave them up on a promise of security from America (1994). What Trump is doing is the grossest form of betrayal, and the only way to work with this man is, as Emmanuel Macron pointed out, if we behave like vassal states. No, no and no. Amanda Baker
Overblown
Brooklyn: Monday’s two-page spread titled “The long arms of Trump and Musk” (three-quarters of which are taken up by a photo of City Hall, by the way) proves why so many of today’s media outlets can’t be trusted. The featured article details how one unnamed city official refused to sign a lawsuit against the Trump administration for fear of reprisal. So, one city official, afraid to sign onto a New York City lawsuit, warrants a two-page spread claiming that Trump and Musk have instilled fear in even non-federal employees? The piece looks more like a Democratic Party smear campaign than actual news. Jack Flynn
Inappropriate idol
Monmouth Beach, N.J.: To Voicer Dave Kalin: Congratulations are in order again. Your writing ability and articulation of your viewpoints are written on a considerably higher plane than the third-grade-level communication skills of your idol Trump. Perhaps he could use you as his communications director. That said, Dave, we all need idols to admire. You have chosen Trump. Good for you. For some reason, my family raised me to admire people who were not convicted felons or court-adjudicated predatory sexual assaulters. This is where we diverge. Fortunately for me, I was raised by parents for whom the MAGA-faithful definition of “family values” would not be deemed appropriate. I guess my parents were just too woke. David W. Kay
Cut and ran
Manalapan, N.J.: The recent cowardly retreat of Republican Sen. Roger Marshall from his town hall meeting in deep red Kansas underscores the bitter message of today’s Republican Party: “We don’t care what you think, we just want your vote.” If this is the Republican idea of how our democracy is going to work, I have a message for them: We citizens don’t care about your politics anymore, and you can prepare to join the dinosaurs in their glass museum cases. Marshall walked out of his town hall within minutes of the start when a veteran complained that the ruthless DOGE cuts were kicking thousands of veterans out of their hard-earned jobs. Marshall listened for a few minutes, then excused himself with barely a comment while cries of “coward” followed him. Veterans who risked their lives to defend our nation discovered the truth about a senator who ran at the first sign of trouble. Herb Paserman
Save Medicaid
Bronx: Congress’ vote to slash $880 billion from Medicaid is an attack on millions of New Yorkers like me. More than 4 million NYC residents depend on Medicaid for life-saving services like primary care, mental health support and HIV treatment. These cuts would be catastrophic for low-income communities, children, seniors and people with chronic illnesses. When I was struggling with HIV, diabetes and high blood pressure, Medicaid helped me get the treatment I needed. I know what it’s like to sit at a pharmacy counter and be told you can’t get your medication. Without Medicaid and community health organizations, I don’t know where I’d be today. Medicaid is the backbone of our health system, ensuring people get care before conditions worsen. If Medicaid is slashed, we all suffer — patients lose care, providers struggle and costs shift elsewhere. New York’s congressional delegation must protect Medicaid. Anthony Randolph
Touching tribute
Manhattan: Be still my heart. It wasn’t murder, mayhem, congestion (cough, cough) or politicians running amok. I opened my hometown Sunday newspaper to its middle, even before I had my morning cup of joe or done my bit of yoga. I was gobsmacked by the glowing editorial tribute to Gene Hackman, “The French Connection,” New York City and its inhabitants (“Gene Hackman’s greatest co-star,” March 2) My city. Our city. Because no matter what happens, this is our treasured city. What a wonderful way to start the day. Thank you, Daily News Editorial Board. You gave me the shivers. Susan A. Stark